Whether you’re looking for a private snorkeling tour in Ishigaki, a quick beach dip, or a full-day reef-hopping experience, there’s something here for every swimmer — even non-swimmers.
In 2024, Ishigaki suffered a major coral bleaching event. Not by a direct effect of global warming but because no major typhoons hit the island until early October. Due to that, the ocean temperature rose to an extreme 32°C, far above the healthy range for coral reefs. As a result, around 80% of Ishigaki’s shallow coral reefs were lost, especially in lagoon areas with little water movement.
While some outer reef and deeper sites remain healthy — and marine life is still abundant — it’s important to understand how climate change and the absence of storms can hurt the underwater ecosystem. Typhoons, while disruptive, help cool the ocean and bring much-needed balance.
If you’re a diver, snorkeler or even a beach lover who cares about marine life, please follow eco-friendly practices and support dive centers and tour operators that protect the reef.
No, you don’t snorkel in the cave — but the waters nearby are a snorkeler’s dream.
Located on Ishigaki’s northern coast, the Blue Cave is a small, naturally formed sea cave carved into the limestone cliffs. The name comes from the beautiful blue light that reflects inside the cave, especially on sunny mornings. While you can walk into the cave at low tide and admire the glowing water for a few minutes, snorkeling happens just offshore — not inside.
The nearby reef is packed with:
Tours typically start with a walk to the cave entrance for photos and sightseeing, followed by a snorkeling session in the sheltered bay area nearby. You might spot clownfish, butterflyfish, and even Green sea turtles if you’re lucky. The reef here is close to the surface, making it perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who just wants an easy-going marine experience.
If you’re looking for a relaxing, beginner-friendly snorkeling spot in Ishigaki, paired with a bit of coastal adventure, this is one of the top picks.
Looking for sea turtles with less crowds? Osaki Beach might be your perfect match.
Tucked away on the island’s quieter westrenmost coast, Osaki Beach is one of the lesser-known but deeply loved Ishigaki snorkeling spots. It’s not as touristic as Phantom Island or Blue Cave — and that’s a big part of its charm.
The reef here sits a short swim from shore, and it’s known for being a reliable place to see Green sea turtles. These gentle giants often feed in the shallows, sleep on the reef or gracefully swim past snorkelers like they’ve got somewhere better to be (they don’t).
Osaki offers:
There aren’t any facilities at the beach, so it’s best to visit Osaki with a guided snorkeling tour that includes gear, guidance, and less searching for the nearby coral points. Some tours even specialize in sea turtle snorkeling and go here specifically because the turtles keep showing up like clockwork.
Yonehara is the best snorkeling spot in Ishigaki for DIY snorkelers.
Just a few steps from shore and you will find coral gardens, parrotfish, clownfish, and more. It’s perfect for beginners, kids, or anyone who wants to go snorkeling without a tour.
Bonus: There are rental shops right near the beach if you didn’t bring your gear.
Yonehara beach have also a more exciting areas for snorkeling where sea turtles and reef sharks are often spotted.
Access to those spots is a bit more complicated and for your safety, it will require you to join a snorkeling tour.
Hamajima — also called Phantom Island — is one of the most famous snorkeling spots in Ishigaki on Google and travel sites. It’s easy to understand why. This tiny white sand island appears at low tide in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by bright blue water. It looks like a dream, and it’s great for photos, walking on soft sand, or just relaxing in the water.
However, when it comes to snorkeling, Phantom Island may not live up to the hype and left many people disappointed.
The area around Phantom Island has very few fish, almost no live coral, and the water is very shallow. On top of that, the spot is often crowded with big group tours and boats, which can make the experience feel rushed or noisy.
Most tours that visit Phantom Island include a short snorkeling session nearby — but this reef isn’t the best. It’s okay for beginners or people who just want to float and look around, but it’s not a great place for real snorkeling.
What we suggest:
We’re not saying Phantom Island is bad — just that it’s better for relaxing and taking photos than for snorkeling. And that’s okay! Knowing what to expect helps you enjoy your time more and choose the right place for your trip.
Shiraho is home to one of the largest and healthiest blue coral colonies in the world, protected inside the Seitoku Marine Area on Ishigaki’s southeast coast. The blue coral here forms a sprawling, otherworldly garden under the surface, attracting schools of tropical fish and creating a rare and fragile ecosystem. Snorkeling in Shiraho is peaceful and shallow, making it ideal for beginners and families — but it’s also strictly regulated to protect the coral.
You cannot snorkel on your own here; access is only possible through local Shiraho eco-tours that follow conservation rules and ensure visitors don’t damage the reef. These tours typically use small boats or glass-bottom boats to guide you through specific zones while sharing the cultural and ecological importance of the area. It’s a memorable experience for anyone who wants to see pristine coral without the crowds, and a great way to support local conservation efforts.
Snorkeling with sea turtles is one of those Ishigaki experiences that turns even the chillest adults into squealing kids. These gentle ocean dinosaurs (they’ve been around for 100+ million years!) casually glide past snorkelers like they own the place—because honestly, they do. If you join a guided tour, you’ve got roughly a 97% chance of spotting turtles, which is much better odds than finding a good parking spot in Tokyo.
Most of the turtles around Ishigaki are green sea turtles, recognizable by their roundish heads and smooth shells. Every now and then you might get lucky and spot a hawksbill turtle, which looks a bit more pointy and fashion-forward thanks to its patterned shell. Both species are likely to be seen munch on algae, sleep on top of corals or just swim around so it’s natural to see them while snorkeling—no baiting, no tricks, just turtles doing their turtle thing.
Although turtles are found all around the island, the hotspots are Blue Cave, Yonehara Beach, and Osaki Beach, each offering easy snorkeling and beautiful reef zones. Snorkeling tours usually start in shallow bays, and the turtles often come up for air right next to snorkelers, which makes for excellent photo ops if you’ve got an action camera handy.
Best part? Sea turtles are incredibly chill. As long as snorkelers don’t touch or chase them, they’ll happily keep feeding and cruising as if you’re just another harmless sea creature. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned ocean fan, snorkeling with turtles in Ishigaki is one of those simple, unforgettable joys that makes the island feel like a tropical nature documentary—only you’re in the scene.
Please follow this simple rules while snorkeling with sea turtles in Ishigaki:
Do:
Don’t:
Snorkeling with manta rays in Ishigaki is one of those once-in-a-lifetime ocean experiences that feels both surreal and surprisingly peaceful. These gentle giants glide through the water with an elegance that doesn’t seem physically possible, and watching them circle, feed, or cruise the reef is as close as it gets to snorkeling inside a nature documentary.
Unlike turtles or tropical fish, manta rays in Ishigaki cannot be reached from the beach. They gather in offshore cleaning stations and feeding zones, which means the only way to snorkel with them is through a boat snorkeling tour. These tours know the local manta routes and conditions, monitor weather and tides, and ensure encounters are respectful and safe for both humans and mantas.
One important rule: freediving and skin diving are not permitted when snorkeling with mantas in Ishigaki. Even if you’re experienced at diving down to get a closer look, staying calmly at the surface is required. Mantas are sensitive animals, and divers dropping down can disturb their feeding or cleaning behavior. Floating at the surface actually gives snorkelers the best view, since the mantas tend to swim large, circular patterns below.
Encounters feel surprisingly intimate despite the rules. Mantas are curious by nature, and they sometimes glide right under snorkelers, wings spanning two to five meters across. Floating quietly, watching them loop in slow motion, is pure magic—no chasing, no pressure, just respectful wildlife watching.
While manta sightings are not 100% guaranteed, Ishigaki is one of the most famous places in the world for reliable encounters. Tours typically focus on known manta spots where the chances are high, and when conditions line up, it’s an unforgettable highlight of any trip to the Yaeyama Islands—peaceful, wild, and absolutely worth the boat ride.
Most people choose to snorkel Ishigaki with a guided tour, and for good reason: they’re easy, safe, and take you to the best spots with no guesswork involved.
Here’s what a typical Ishigaki snorkeling tour includes:
There are a few types of tour options available:
Half-Day Snorkeling Tours
Perfect for travelers who is short on time. Most Ishigaki half-day snorkeling tours last 3-4 hours and include 1 snorkeling spot. Popular snorkeling spots for half day tours are:
👉 Check out our Half-Day Snorkeling tours ›
Full-Day Snorkeling Tours
The Full-Day tours are often a combination of activities, such as:
Most Full-Day tours also include lunch.
👉 Check out our Full-Day Snorkeling and Island tours ›
Private Snorkeling Tours
Want the reef all to yourself? Book a private snorkeling tour in Ishigaki for couples, families, or groups. It’s pricier but totally worth it for special trips (like honeymoons or if your group needs extra assistance).
Yes! You can absolutely go snorkeling in Ishigaki without a tour, especially at:
What you’ll need:
Absolutely. Whether you’re dreaming of swimming with sea turtles, floating above coral gardens, or exploring caves that glow blue — Ishigaki snorkeling is one of the best things you can do on the island.
It’s accessible, beginner-friendly, and full of unforgettable moments. Take a tour, go DIY, bring the kids, or make it a date — just don’t miss the chance to peek beneath the surface of this stunning island.
